There were no votes of opposition, though the union representing about 35,000 state employees, AFSCME Council 31, abstained from the vote.

AFSCME is suing Quinn in a bid to undo changes to state pension laws that the governor backed that would cut back on post-retirement benefits for its members. The case is being heard in Sangamon County and is expected to eventually go before the Illinois Supreme Court.

Another public-sector union trying to get that law tossed, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, was absent from the meeting.

I remember getting my letter to follow the IFT, and AFL CIO endorsement of Blago on his second election and I sent their letter back with a few “explanations”. Just because the leaders endorse doesn’t mean the rank and file are ready. They might get there, due to the opposition, but I don’t believe the leaders are still owed back pay from PQ’s fiasco, in spite of the court’s order to pay, and aren’t exactly ready to hug him.

They might get there, due to the opposition, but I don’t believe the leaders are still owed back pay from PQ’s fiasco, in spite of the court’s order to pay, as the rank and file are. They aren’t exactly ready to hug him.

Just throwing their power away. They could have waited to endorse, which would have given them some leverage with PQ. Rauner stopped the full on assault after seeing their muscle in the primary, but no reason to hold back now. Dumb.